Robert Catto, Photographer - Superb, Professional Photography for Business and the Arts in Sydney, Australia

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New New Zealand Music Hall of Famer Shona Laing!

So pleased to hear about singer / songwriter Shona Laing's award this week at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards, and her induction into the NZ Music Hall of Fame (what, she wasn't there already!?).  She's had a long career, of course, but I've known her a little bit over the past decade, and photographed her at various points along the way. So here's a small gallery of a few of those images - my favourite memory would have to be at WOMAD in '09, when she pointed at me from the stage (mid-song, if I remember correctly!) and said 'hey, it's Ngati Toronto!' - my Maori nickname, given to me by our great friend Mahinarangi Tocker.  Sadly Mahina's not with us any more, but I'm pleased to know a little of her (highly irreverent) humour survives!

One of my favourite photos here in the office is the first one in this gallery, which I took of her and Mahina at the New Zealand International Arts Festival in '04; it also became the cover photo for Mahina's 2005 album, The Mongrel In Me, which they recorded together with a supergroup of Kiwi musicians; and later, I got them both to sign a print for me, which is always nearby when I'm working at my desk.

I miss them both - hopefully Shona might come & play Sydney some time, though!

Mahinarangi Tocker and Shona Laing

Mahinarangi Tocker and Shona Laing

Mahinarangi Tocker and Shona Laing

Mahinarangi Tocker and Shona Laing

Mahinarangi Tocker and Shona Laing

Shona Laing

Shona Laing

Shona Laing

Mahinarangi Tocker and Shona Laing

Mahinarangi Tocker and Shona Laing

Shona Laing

Shona Laing

Shona Laing

Shona Laing

Shona Laing

Shona Laing

Shona Laing and James Wilkinson

Shona Laing

Shona Laing

Shona Laing

Shona Laing with Annie Crummer, Sharon O'Neill, Margaret Urlich, Debbie Harwood, Julia Deans and Lisa Crawley

Shona Laing with Annie Crummer, Sharon O'Neill, Margaret Urlich, Debbie Harwood, Julia Deans and Lisa Crawley